Shantelle Thompson

VIC Director and Deputy Chair

I am Shantelle Thompson OAM, a proud Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman known as the Barkindji Warrior, Warrior Heart. I am a mother of five, a black belt and world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a Dream-weaver—walking the path of reclamation, sovereignty, and leadership.

My journey was seeded in the womb of my Ancestors and planted in the Dreaming. It has always been about reclamation and remembering—not becoming someone new, but returning to who I have always been. My truth has been shaped by Country, Culture, Ancestors, my babies, and my community. I have always been a sovereign, powerful First Nations woman, and my rise has never needed permission from colonial, patriarchal, or Western systems that seek to limit and define it.

I refuse to prostitute my trauma to justify my rise. Too often, these systems try to measure our worth by the adversity we endure, as if we are only allowed to be ‘so much.’ I reject that narrative. My Ancestors called me to remember who I am. And in my rise, I heal those who came before me, strengthen those who stand with me, and create resources and pathways for generations to come.

I walk in the footsteps of my Ancestors, guided by Dreaming, grounded in culture, and led by purpose. This foundation has carried me through every battle—on the mats, in boardrooms, within systems, and in the depths of my own spirit. I have risen through adversity, healed intergenerational trauma, and stepped into my power as a mother, athlete, entrepreneur, warrior, leader, and storyteller.

Now, as the Victoria Director and Deputy Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA), I step into a role that aligns with my Dreaming—to be a protector, advocate, and voice for our Tidda. This role is not separate from who I am; it is woven into the larger vision I carry. I bring to NATSIWA the same fire that drives my work as a founder, athlete, speaker, mentor, and changemaker—a deep commitment to creating spaces where First Nations women, purpose children, and communities can stand in their sovereignty, reclaim their power, and shape the future on their own terms.

I founded Kiilalaana Foundation as a place of healing, leadership, and empowerment for First Nations women and youth—ensuring that our people have the resources, knowledge, and support to walk in their truth. My book, Warrior Heart: Suicide to World Champion, is another thread in this tapestry—a testimony to the strength of our stories, our resilience, and our ability to rise. My Warrior Heart movement, Warrior Heart Yarns podcast, and my journey to a Jiu-Jitsu black belt world title all interweave into this greater purpose—to shift narratives, break cycles, and show what is possible when we remember who we are.

I do not see my work as separate strands but as part of the great weaving of my Dreaming. NATSIWA is another space where I can walk my purpose—bringing my voice, my fire, and my commitment to fighting for our Tidda, ensuring that our voices are not only heard but lead the way forward. I am here to serve, to fight, and to walk alongside my Tidda, aunties, and matriarchs as we reclaim, rebuild, and remember.

We are not just shaping policies or programs—we are shaping futures. We are Dream-weaving a world where our daughters and granddaughters inherit strength, sovereignty, and the power to walk in their truth.

I am ready. We are ready.
We always have been.